Planning, building, safely operating and maintaining the electricity system are functions which are assigned to the respective Distribution and Transmission System Operators, who are independent of me as Minister in the exercise of their respective functions. They are accountable to the independent regulator, the CRU.
Each of these organisations have a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members. As such the Deputy may wish to engage with EirGrid, ESBN and CRU directly via oireachtas@eirgrid.ie , oireachtas@esb.ie and oireachtas@cru.ie,
Notwithstanding this, my Department is in regular engagement with the system operators, the CRU and industry working to address challenges around facilitating large energy user (LEU) connections and are keen to hear innovative solutions from industry on efficient use of the existing and future electricity grid.
In line with the Programme for Government commitments, a range of policy and energy infrastructure planning workstreams are being prioritised, including unprecedented investment in critical infrastructure and our electricity grid, as well as enhancing data centres’ use of renewable energy sources, energy efficient technology and solutions such as waste heat capture for district heating systems and other local uses.
An updated Large Energy Users Connection Policy was published by the CRU in December 2025. This has provided increased transparency in respect of new data centre connections to the electricity network and establishes a pathway for connection, addressing security of electricity supply and network constraint considerations, while promoting Ireland’s renewable energy ambitions.
Furthermore, Government has published a comprehensive Large Energy User Action Plan (LEAP) with robust measures that will, inter alia, accelerate energy generation, connectivity, and planning processes which will guide the development of data centres and other strategically significant very energy intensive industries, in alignment with Ireland’s decarbonisation objectives and growing the knowledge-based economy. In particular, this will allow for greater co-location of energy-intensive sectors with the supply of renewable energy generation within green energy parks.
